The lead seemed so overbearing. So much that Clippers coach Doc Rivers recalled that it felt like his team led by 1,000 points.

As the former Celtics coach nervously watched, former assistant Tom Thibodeau asked, “Are you going to sub out?” The exchange revealed two moments.

It brought a dose of irony considering Thibodeau soon earned a reputation with the Chicago Bulls as someone who exhausted his players with heavy minutes. The moment also showed Rivers’ insecurity with the Celtics fortunes in Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals because of Kobe Bryant.

“Kobe was still on the floor,” Rivers recalled before the Lakers visited the Clippers in a designated road game on Tuesday at Staples Center. “When Phil (Jackson) takes that guy out, I’ll take my guys out.”

The Celtics eventually won the series by winning that game by 39 points. And yet…

“He put that fear in you,” River said of Bryant. “He’d run off 3s. I’m not good at math so I was worried about him.”

In the same building where Bryant has heard endless “MVP” chants,” the Clippers played a 30-second video tribute that included messages from Paul Pierce and Chris Paul. Rivers argued “Kobe should be the focus” both on Tuesday and on Wednesday when the Lakers host the Clippers in a designated home game at Staples Center. Bryant also frequently bantered with “Clipper Darrell,” who has become a fan staple through the organization’s good and bad years.

“I’m going to miss Clipper Darrell,” Bryant said. “His passion and enthusiasm for the game and the constant booing and cheering, I had a couple of moments I was able to acknowledge him and the fans in this building.”

Rivers also considered Bryant, Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett and Isiah Thomas as the NBA’s most competitive players.

“It’s nice he’s going out his way and he deserves it,” Rivers said. “I don’t think a lot of people get to. Most bad players never get to. They’re told to go home.”

The Celtics sent the Lakers home in 2008.

That started with a certain performance in Game 1 that still leaves Lakers fans fuming with skepticism on the nature of Pierce’s knee injury before finishing with 22 points.

“Paul in a wheelchair was one moment where he came back as the hero,” Rivers said, laughing. “That was terrific.”

Rivers would hardly describe the 2010 NBA Finals that way after the Lakers defeated the Celtics in seven games. Since then, Rivers often cited Kendrick Perkins’ right knee injury in Game 6 as the difference.

Rivers still contended on Tuesday that “part of winning is health.” Yet, he hardly sounded like the same man who once argued his starters with the Celtics never lost a playoff series.

“They won it. You have to give them that,” Rivers said. “It took me two or three years to finally actually say that. It was very hurtful. You have to give them the credit. They won the title.”

Bryant smiled when he heard Rivers’ change of sentiments. Yet, Bryant insisted, “it don’t matter to me.” He then added, “the rings still shine the same.”

Still, Bryant could have argued that injuries to Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza played a large part in the Lakers losing to the Celtics in 2008.

“Things happen for a reason. We can sit there and say that, but after losing those Finals, we were able to make some personnel changes and better our team and strengthen our team,” Bryant said. “Things happen the way they are intended to happen. For whatever reason, the basketball gods favored us in2010. I’m thankful that they did. I would be one miserable SOB if they didn’t.”

Compare and contrast

Metta World Peace often tussled with Pierce when he defended him. World Peace did the same thing with Bryant before eventually became teammates. That gives World Peace unique perspective on sizing up the differences between Bryant and Pierce.

World Peace considered the 37-year-old Bryant “more skilled and more polished” in his 20-year career over the 38-year-old Pierce, an 18-year NBA veteran.

“They remind me of each other on how they hit big shots. You can’t leave them open when it’s money time,” World Peace said. “It’s their work ethic. When you work hard, you’ll the results. Paul and Kobe in the summer are working hard. A lot of guys check out of their career early.”

Taking attendance

Nick Young may have not played in 12 consecutive games, nine of which the Lakers considered healthy scratches.

The Lakers’ forward may have tension with D’Angelo Russell, who secretly recorded a since published video that showed Young admitting he has cheated on his fiancé, Iggy Azalea.

Yet, Scott said Young will still travel with the Lakers on their three-game trip to New Orleans (Friday), Houston (Sunday) and Oklahoma City (Monday).

Expressing sympathy

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak walked toward the Lakers’ practice facility on Tuesday with slumped shoulder. It’s safe to say he still nursed frustration with his alma mater, North Carolina, losing in the NCAA championship game to Villanova on a last second three-pointer. Same with thing former Lakers player and coaching consultant James Worthy, who also is a former Tar Heel.

“They might be in a little bit of mourning right now,” Scott said.

Kupchak attended the game in Houston before returning to Los Angeles on Tuesday. For now, Scott will give Kupchak and Worthy some comfortable distance.

“I tend to leave people alone when their alma mater loses games,” Scott said. “I give them a couple of days to reflect and relax before I talk to them.”

Mark Medina has been the Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Daily News since 2012. He also works as a Lakers insider for AM570 and is heard on national radio outlets, including The Dan Patrick Show, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, The Chris Mannix Show, Fox Sports Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Yahoo! Sports Radio and SB Nation Radio. Medina also appears frequently on Spectrum SportsNet and NBC4's "Going Roggin."

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